Italy: Azienda Agricola Monte del Frà - Soave Classico 2025, Veneto (SQNPI-certified)

Grape variety: 100% Garganega. 12% alcohol. Grown on a mix of clay and limestone soils of volcanic origin at an altitude of 100-200 meters above sea level, in the Soave region to the east of Verona.

'Classico' refers to this wine originating exclusively from the historic, original heartland of the appellation - specifically the hilly areas surrounding the towns of Soave and Monteforte d'Alpone.

The Classico area features higher elevation and less fertile soils compared to the flat alluvial plains (from where the high-production, bog-standard Soave comes). 

To be labelled as Soave Classico, winemakers must adhere to much stricter regulations - such as lower grape yields - to ensure higher overall quality.

An 'azienda agricola' is an agricultural estate - in wine, it refers to a producer that grows grapes and makes wine only from their own grapes, meaning they are fully in control of quality from vine to bottle. 

This wine's scores from wine critics - e.g. 94 points from famed Italian critic Luca Maroni (outstanding/highly recommended) - are mightily impressive for its humble price point. 

To me (and other wine anoraks!), Soave Classico is one of the best value white wines in the world. The wines deliver such great bang for their buck. They are very fruit-forward but at the same time often with a stony minerality and great acidity, offering a superb value alternative to a high-quality unoaked/lightly-oaked Chardonnay. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they are fantastic food wines.

This one is particularly fruit-forward with a very attractive stone fruit and pear character on a delicate yet really long finish. This wine is all about the fruit - alongside a very subtle mineral character - it doesn't see any oak.

When you click on this producer's website, they say "one of the best Italian wineries in Veneto" - quite a bold statement given the vast size of this northeastern Italian region but given the consistent quality I've seen from them, this does hold true. 

Owned and run by the Bonomo family since 1958, the estate was originally founded as a monastery a few hundred years prior. It today encompasses 137 hectares/338 acres, while the family rent another 68 hectares/168 acres, spread across the Custoza, Valpolicella, Lugana, Bardolino and Soave areas to the west, north and east of Verona. 

Sustainability at Monte del Frà: they are SQNPI-certified, the Italian certificate for integrated farming, which involves green manure, sexual confusion, micro-drip irrigation, and zero chemical weeding. As well as local workforces and local raw materials, working with recycled paper, sustainable glass, and a circular use of energy and water resources. The extensive winery renovation and expansion project, which will be completed in the next few years, aims to achieve maximum production sustainability.

The Winemaker's Notes:

Medium intensity with floral and fruity aromas such as blossom, elderflower, peach and apricot. Pleasant mineral sensations. Dry, elegant, harmonious on the palate. The flavour remains true to the nose. Drink it now or maximize its potential storing for at least 5 years. This wine will keep your interest alive delivering constant emotions time after time. Drink now!

Food Pairing:

Perfect with roast chicken, focaccia, shellfish and fish in general, asparagus, veal scaloppini, cannelloni, parmigiana, risotto, cauliflower soup and pasta primavera. Also delicious with fresh cheese such as goat's cheese, ricotta, mozzarella, and burrata.

What the critics say:

94 points: Luca Maroni - an incredibly high score for a wine at this price point!